jyotish

For the past 13 months (since June 19th, 2014), we have been experiencing Jupiter in the Sign of Sidereal Cancer. Here, Jupiter is said to be exalted or operating in it’s highest placement because it connects our highest principles and purpose (Jupiter) through our emotional heart (Cancer). In its highest expression we find that love, compassion, sensitivity and intuition become the guiding principles, which then operate through our experience and expression of the higher teachings, principles, legal justice, spirituality and religious impulses that Jupiter represents.

As the planets move through the Zodiac, there is an intelligence operating within the process. Each sign placement is an evolutionary experience of that Planet’s energy. It evolves through the sign, which also prepares it for the experience of the next sign.

The hope is that over the past 13 months, our principles have become more connected to our inner heart. We have seen “seeking justice” and connection to principles filled with emotion in such national events as the very emotional reactions to the treatment of African Americans by the Police. We have seen “seeking justice” in connection to religious beliefs around Love and marriage through the legal shifts around Gay Marriage. And the coverage of Bruce Jenner’s public acknowledgment of transitioning from male to female as a transgendered woman now known as Caitlin Jenner shows an example of joining heart with principles and values. It arose within the collective as a lesson for our culture of how “I must live by my own Truth and Values” where the inner heart of compassion and self acceptance cries out for peace and freedom to live by one’s own truth.

And with that opportunity for growth in place from Cancer, on July 14th, 2015, Jupiter will steps into Sidereal Leo – the sign of Power, inspiration and uplifting energy. In Leo, we learn how to activate our deeper spiritual power and use it for leadership both internally and externally.

Leo is like a king. In its highest expression, it seeks to serve those who he leads. As a Sattvic sign, Leo is oriented towards doing what is right and good. As a fixed sign, it is more focused on inspiring and building upon what is present. So, it is more interested in expanding and improving the kingdom, rather than knocking down old structures and starting over. It is large, influential and has strength to persevere and move forward. As a Fire sign, it is motivated towards action and uses inspiration and intuition as fuel for what it shares with the world.

The sign of Leo is ruled by the Sun, which is the planet of Power. The process of evolving the Sun within our lives and our spiritual practices is one of purifying the ego and discovering that our True Power comes not from our small individual sense of self in the world, but instead the deeper spark of Spirit which dwells within our spiritual Self.

As Jupiter enters Leo, it brings inspiration and motivation to our deeper principles, our spiritual path and our own sense of Truth and Purpose. It will inspire action based upon these things, and through those actions we will be invited on a journey of purifying our ego attachments and limited notions of Truth, and instead connect with our deeper Power as Radiant Consciousness.

But we must also remember, that within our Collective experience, there are various degrees of wisdom and understanding. Some are more attached to a sense of ego power. And some also have “higher principles and spiritual teachings” that are still based upon judgment and dogma.

From July 14th, 2015 through mid August 2016, Jupiter will make it’s way through the sign of Leo, activating the above energies within the Collective experience. There will be higher levels of motivation to take actions towards creating your higher ideals and to be inspired by the teachings and principles that are closest to your own heart. Passion and courage arise here.

For your personal life, you may feel more inspired to “go for it” with what you most love based upon your deeper principles and the knowledge of what brings you peace and harmony. Try to connect to the “wave” of this inspiration and use it to propel you forward towards your soul’s passions. The Truth and Principles that dwell in your inner heart now long to radiate into the world, to be seen by others in all their glory.

But let us also remember, that not everyone holds our values. Leo energy, when not evolved, pushes the individual through an experience of greater Ego and deeper attachment to the sense of individual power. At this stage of evolution, the “kings” can become tyrants and seek to dominate and control others by forcing their own principles and dogma onto others.

I expect the next 13 months to be a very interesting journey. Inspired Jupiter will continue to expand and solidify many of the recent changes in law around gay marriage equality. It will also continue to expand our awareness of the dynamics of power in leadership, such as the use of power by police and government. But, it has the potential to move us away from the more emotional reactivity and attachment that Cancer could potentially bring, and instead create an infectious sense of enthusiasm towards finding a more balanced relationship to power and principles.

Jupiter also represent Teachers, Spiritual Teachers, trusted advisors and things connected to the legal system such as courts and lawyers. So a time to connect to inspiration about Higher quality spiritual teachings, or to gain deeper education around things that are connected to your deeper purpose and principles. It also acts as a support for the legal system to be more inspired and motivated to do good things.

But also be aware that it will give rise to religious zealots and fundamentalist who will also be inspired to act upon their own principles in their role as leaders. We must remember that everyone has their own unique karmic journey. As the Sun purifies our principles, spiritual teachings and legal systems, there will be resistance and even stronger insistence on “what is right” from those who are not yet willing to let go of their ego’s investment in dogma. In the end, this placement supports a higher evolution towards more Universal laws of Truth, but there may be some “fallout” as the process unfolds.

Those who are still attached to dogma with be purified by experiencing their resistance and forced to eventually realize that their approach is not working. And those that are more connected to the inner light of the Spiritual Self can use the reflection of resistance, judgment and dogma as a mirror to remind ourselves that we are seeking the higher promise of Jupiter – expansive consciousness guided by wisdom, compassion and Universal Truth.

For you, use this time to bring out and discover the highest, most compassionate teachings and put them into action. “Lead” by example. Allow your own creative inspirations to rise to the top so that you can enthusiastically pursue your soul’s deepest passions and longings. And keep these principles in mind as you observe your friends, families, coworkers and the actions of our spiritual leaders and the courts over the next 13 months.

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The above is a general Vedic Astrology Forecast. It discusses the shifts that are happening at the level of the Collective experience, as well as how you can use that Collective energy for your own growth and evolution.

For a detailed reading of how this Jupiter transit will impact you personally, you should schedule a private Vedic Astrology Reading.

In Vedic Astrology, the Sun, or Surya, is the source of our Inner Light. The Soul Essence seeking to shine through into the world. It is the power which illumines our experiences and the source from which we survive, thrive and grow.

The Sun is the Great “I am”, the “One Without a Second”, and as this great force of Divine Power, it is also where our personal sense of Self Identity is formed. The question is, where do we Identify? Does our “sense of Self” come from the outer story of our lives, such as our profession and other roles in life such as parent, spouse, child? Does the sense of Self arise from various labels that we have accepted as true, such as “The one who is good at details”, “the Black Sheep” or “The class clown”?

Or do we follow the wisdom of the Vedic teachings and turn within to explore our Self as the Radiance light of the Sun?

The Sun is not just the “Soul”, but is also the Inner Fire of Truth which burns away and purifies the False Sense of Self. It burns away the attachments we have formed through various lifetimes, and the Vedic Astrology Birth Chart reveals the Karmic patterning that is being purified in this lifetime. But, it helps if we participate in the process. To do so, we must understand both what our True Nature is, as well as what forms and creates the Limited, False Sense of Self.

Karmic Attachments are the primary source of False Sense of Self. Those Karmic attachments form what is referred to as “The Ahamkara”, or “The Ego”. Is is the False sense of Separate Self.

How can we notice our Attachments?

The most obvious identity attachments are the ones we cling to for our happiness and our sense of Self. Sometimes it is easier for others to see our attachments that it is for us. It is the labels we hold dear, the ones that we wish to be seen as and take great pride in. To be “the intellectual”, or “the sexy one”, for instance. To be “rich” or “well traveled” or “very spiritual”. It is whatever we want others to think about us and that would cause us to feel “less than” if we did not appear that way.

I would also like for you to expand your understanding of “attachment”. Sometimes, people think attachments are only what we DESIRE and WANT. If there is something we don’t want, then we might think “I am not attached to that, I don’t want it”. And you might interpret, for your self, that NOT wanting it means you are “not attached”.

It is possible that you are not attached, but you must look at it honestly. In many cases “not wanting it” is actually proof that you ARE attached. You are attached to a Self Identity that is NOT that label or thing. You are attached to some different definition of personality or Identity that you want others to see you as instead.. You are attached to the idea that being and expressing and being seen as “what you don’t want” is not compatible with who you imagine or wish yourself to be.

RESISTANT TO is just another form of attachment. It is attachment to what you think “should be” instead.

The True test of “Attachment” is whether or not there is an emotional charge around it. If someone were to suggest that you had the qualities or expression of “that which you don’t want” and it made you angry or was perceived as an insult: Well, then you are attached.

And if you are wanting to be seen as something, and there is a threat that someone doesn’t see you as that, or that you may lose that status of identity, and you get upset, angry, defensive, etc. Well, then you are attached.

The Sun illuminates attachments and Purifies them through Fire

It is the POWER of the SUN which illumines these attachments. The Great Light of our Inner Awareness which allows us to see into the dark corners of our own minds and finally see what is True. It is our striving after a sense of Self and our resistance to another one that shows where and how the Sun is Purifying our False Sense of Self. The emotional charge, the defensiveness, the feeling of defeat, the lack of confidence, the intense striving to “prove its true”, the resistance, and the chasing after are all signs that Purification is taking place. In short, if you are experiencing craving, discomfort or even the most subtle taste of “suffering”, then Purification is taking place.

The SUN creates PURIFICATION as it tries to reveal to you the TRUE Source of Power Within. This process can be uncomfortable. What makes it most “unfun” is resisting. We suffer when we struggle against what is. If we are able to understand, grasp and embrace it, then the Sun’s purification creates growth that we can surrender to, that expands our sense of Self and dissolves the limited sense that we are either attached to or resistant to. As limitation are removed, we begin to taste more clearly our True Self (Sun) as beyond any limited expression. If we resist, we potentially stifle growth and stay stuck and/or the growth happens anyway, but it is filled with “growing pains”.

ATTACHMENT to a sense of identity is being purified by the placement of the Sun in the chart, and we may discover at some point that we are struggling against the process (which is pretty normal). The Karma is there for you to express a certain set of traits and to be seen that way. These are the Karmic energies at play in your life. And part of the “Purification” process is to find a way to make peace with them. That could look any number of ways. Acceptance. Surrendering to these expressions, but letting go of the Identification with them.

These are all things related to the Sun. And as the evolutionary process happens within each of us, if we are able to more fully connect to the Sun in a health way, then the purification process brings about the changes needed to step into the Full POWER of our inner Soul and align with Atman. Resistance melts. Attachments are burned away, and we begin to Radiate the energy of our Soul.

This process is usually at least a little uncomfortable, but it is designed to bring into awareness the attachments and resistances that you must purify in order to become Free and awaken to your Inner Sun/Power.

The Process of Ego Purification and the Evolution of the Sun

So, now let’s look a little more closely at The Sun in relationship to the Ego and the purification process:

EGO is known as Ahamkara in the Samkhya Chart of the Tattvas. It is another layer of “Mind”, technically. Ahamkara translates to “Little I-maker”. It is a function that happens within creation that causes the larger True Self (Sun) to identify itself as a limited separate being, or the Jiva. Ego/Ahamkara forms the outer personality of the individual expression and is composed of Karma.

The Sun is the Self, and its true Sattvic essence is a Universal Consciousness/Oneness. When the Sun identifies itself with the Ego instead, a limited experience of identity is created and the natural true Power of the Sun is falsely thought to be come from the Ahamkara/ego instead. This false identification of the Source of Power can then lead to various issues around power, confidence, etc (either lack of, overly, or chasing after, etc)

The Purification process is the Authentic Power of the Sun to burn away the false attachments and false identities with the Ego/Ahamkara, and to connect Self with Authentic Power based upon Universal Oneness and dissolve the illusion of separation and competition.

If the individual is disconnected from the Sun, then he may feel even the Ego has no power, and would remain uninspired and feel he lacks direction in life. Here, the purification of the Sun will cause suffering until the individual is finally motivated to change his circumstances, and Karmic circumstances bring about the experience of connecting with some sense of Personal Power.

For those who do have a sense of Personal Power that is identified primarily with the Ego, they will be attached to their own sense of individual power and may appear as overly prideful, egotistical, domineering. Their power is primarily directed towards selfish gains and self gratification. Here, the Purification process of the Sun will eventually reveal to them that their individual sense of Power is limited. It may happen in a way where the tide will turn and they will suffer when all they have been attached to is taken from them. Or, they may be shown by direct experience that serving only the Ego isn’t fulfilling, and thus they become inspired to use their power for the benefit of others.

As the Purification of the Sun continues, the experience of the Universal Self begins to expand. This brings about a feeling of inspiration and a willingness to sacrifice for the good of others. The Purification process here helps to remove the final attachments. It can at times be still be uncomfortable, yes, but there is usually an understanding of the process which makes it clear that the discomfort serves a positive purpose, and thus there is less resistance to the process.

Spiritual practices over a long time are concerned in various ways with refining the ego so that it becomes a servant to the Universal Power of Self (Sun), instead of thinking it is an independent force that operates in the world for its own limited, personal gain. As part of our spiritual sadhana, we also are connecting to the Deeper Universal Self and releasing attachment to the Ego as “self”.

The Ego is not “Bad”

Let’s also be clear about this point: the Ego is not “bad”. It serves a function to allow the appearance of a “personality” here in this world. But suffering arises when we believe it is our source of Power, and that its needs must be served, rather than serving the Universal Self instead.

Even Saints or Enlightened Beings have a thin veil of an ego in order to operate in this world. The difference is that they have no identification with it, and it has been purified to operate for and as Universal Self (Atman, Sun). It operates out of knowledge of Oneness, and not separation.

This ego of a Realized being is said in yogic texts to be like an “ashen rope”, which describes the Purification process of the Sun’s Fire. A rope when it is burned will keep the shape and appearance of the original rope, but it is delicate and fragile with no true substance. A touch or a breeze will collapse the ashen rope, revealing it as hollow and empty. Yet it appears as a rope even after it has been burned up.

The same is for the Purified Ego of a Saint. It appears in the world as “personality” but it is light (sattvic) and empty. The Ego really no longer exists, even though it appears to operate in the world. Instead, the Self-Realized or Enlightened Being experiences the Oneness (Sun) of all creation and beings.

Understanding the Power of the Sun through Jyotish leads to Yoga and Enlightenment

The Vedic Traditions of Yoga reveal to use this deeper Potential of Self and the deeper Reality with which we are connected. And Jyotish or Vedic Astrology teaches us about the Nature of Self through the operations and the Nature of the Sun. When we look look at a birth chart, we can not only see how the Sun may show aspects of the personality and its expression in the world, but it also shows us the Karma which is being expressed and Purified in this lifetime for the native. The area of life being most strongly purified is also revealed through the House which is ruled by the Sun, or where Leo is.

Even though these placements in the chart show highly Karmic themes, also note that the Transit of the Sun through the full Zodiac each year shows the spiraling nature of the Sun to steadily burn attachments within each area of our life in a cyclical nature. And various Dasha cycles will also show times of greater intensity for the purification process as well. There is no part of our life that the Sun will not eventually touch.

This Purification Process is the core of Tantra Yoga and the Kundalini Yoga Traditions. Activating the Inner Fires of Awareness to purify the Ego. Vedic Astrology helps us to more clearly understand this process, as well as more clearly understand the way the Sun operates in the world. By following the Dasha cycles and transits we are given much insight into the perfection and beauty of this evolutionary process which is designed to evolve the Jiva into the Supreme Self.

What has your experience of Purification been? What attachments in the Sun revealing to you right now in your life? How can you better participate in this process?

Jeff Craft (Kali Das) is a certified Vedic astrologer through the American Academy of Vedic Arts and Sciences (AAVAS), and was selected by Sam Geppi to be an Assistant Teacher for his Astrology Certification Courses. Outside of his work with Sam, Jeff is the Founder and Director of the Atlanta School of Tantra Yoga.

His 23+ years of study and personal practice include multiple certification in the fields of Advanced Yogic methods, Vedic Astrology, Ayurveda, Energy Healing and bodywork. Through his many years of personal and professional experience with healing and spiritual transformation, he has developed the Ecstatic Union® Vibrational Healing system. He offers Vedic Astrology Consultations as an integral part of the Ecstatic Union® approach to healing.